In the Air – Art+Auction's Gossip Column

Jay-Z Pictured Pondering Jean-Michel Basquiat Print in New Cognac Ad

On the stellar but inexplicably unreleased Jay-Z song “Ain’t I,” the Brooklyn MC boasts that he’s got “Warhols on my hall’s walls” and “Basquiats in the lobby of my spot,” but according to a recent ad for luxury cognac D’Ussé (above), Jigga also has a print by fellow Brooklynite Jean-Michel Basquiat in his apartment.

In the magazine ad, Hov reclines in his predictably plush surroundings, lounging in some sort of housecoat and puffing on a cigar while he looks at a large untitled black-and-white Basquiat print.

The artwork in question, “Untitled” (1983), is a silkscreen ink on canvas print that the late artist made in 10 editions, with two artist’s proofs. One of those editions may or may not belong to Jay-Z, but another also happens to be available on Art.sy (for an undisclosed price, although we’re sure it’s within Jay’s budget). We’re assuming that the cognac company’s catchphrase, “a bold new expression of cognac,” is a reference to the bold, abstract expressionist swaths of ink Basquiat used to create the print.